Eddie’s made his call but I back myself again for World Cup
IN-FORM Harlequins No.9 Danny Care has warned Ben Youngs and Dan Robson not to get too comfortable in their England jerseys as he battles for a Test recall.
Yorkshireman Care was ruthlessly axed by Red Rose boss Eddie Jones at the end of the November series. However, the 84-cap Test veteran – England’s most-capped scrum-half – has responded with a sparkling vein of form for Quins as they chase down Saracens and Exeter for the Premiership title. Care, 32, told The Rugby
Paper: “I’m very disappointed not to be away with England at the moment, but they’re going pretty well so all you can do as a player is play as well as you can for your club and it’s nice to be around these boys, playing in a winning team.
“I’ve played 84 times for England and I’m happy with that, but I’d like to get back in an England shirt as soon as possible and my international ambitions are as strong as ever.
“I’d still love to play a part in this Six Nations and obviously the dream is to get to that World Cup and help the boys do what we’ve all wanted to do by winning it. That’s still a massive aim for me and I’m working as hard as I can to make it happen and get another chance.”
Care added: “Before the Six Nations, Eddie said he wanted to go with Ben and Dan Robson. He hadn’t seen Dan play for England and wanted me to go back to the club, do what I do well and then we’ll see what happens. I respect that, so there’s not a lot else you can do really.
“It’s felt a bit unusual and I can’t remember the last time myself, Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw and Joe Marler were all available for Harlequins during the Six Nations, but this year only Kyle Sinckler has been involved so it’s a period when we’ve really got to make it count. “We normally suffer with seven or eight guys being away with their respective teams but we’re quite lucky in that respect this year and it’s a seasondefining period now.” Care is revelling in a new sense of direction and purpose at the Stoop under Paul Gustard, which he hopes will culminate in a first appearance in the play-offs since 2013/14. He explained: “We’re enjoying it up near the top of the table and that’s where we want to stay and press for some silverware this year. It’s been a long time coming but there’s a new vibe, a new aura around the club and Gussy’s come in and stamped his authority on it. “Quins fans expect to see some good rugby and expect us to win. We’ve always normally had a good home record but over the last couple of seasons we’ve let that slip by losing too many games and not playing the kind of rugby our fans have been accustomed to seeing. “Hopefully, the fans can see what we’re trying to do now, though, and when you look at some of the young players excelling, like Alex Dombrandt, Joe Marchant, Cadan Murley, Marcus Smith and Gaby Ibitoye, there’s lot of brilliant English talent among that lot.
“Dombrandt reminds me a lot of Nick Easter when he first came to the club and it’s scary how good some of these guys could be. There are experienced players here as well and the big thing for us is to be consistent because on our day we can give anyone a game.”
With a new two-year contract signed, Care can now target the World Cup.
He added: “I didn’t really look around, I was keen to get something done here. Gussy coming in was a big thing for me and I wanted to stay and play for him. This has been my club for 13 years now since signing from Leeds in 2006 and I’ve had an amazing time.
“My big aim now is to win more silverware here and get back in that England side. Youngsy’s playing pretty well at the moment and Dan’s getting a chance, but I’d love to be back out there at a time when they’re doing well and I’m working really hard for that.”